SADC summit of abductions, torture, and lawfare as ED lays down a ‘red’ carpet

Not even SADC has been spared a true Zanu PF welcome. Having lost the elections on August 23, 2023, Zimbabwe’s incumbent president is hellbent on putting up a display as the godfather of repression in the Southern African region (and maybe even beyond).

In the last few months, he has done the unimaginable when it comes to tyrannical rule.

These recent attacks on dissenting voices started on June 16, 2024. On a quiet Sunday afternoon, the Zimbabwe Republic Police force descended on a group of young activists being hosted by Senator Jameson Timba at his residence.

Their agenda was simple: food, drink, and engagement, commemorating the Day of the Youth. Among them were 27 women and minors who had tagged along with parents and siblings, as it was a family-friendly event.

Suddenly, the police force attacked, forcing attendees and even bystanders to march on their knees to the police vehicles on standby. Unwarranted brutal force was applied, resulting in fractures and other injuries.

Amongst the detained was a 12-month-old nursing toddler who, to date, 51 days later, remains in prison with the other 74 co-accused.

While citizens were coming to terms with this, Namatai Kwekweza, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi, and Vusimuzi Moyo were frog-marched off an airplane, further highlighting the regime’s clampdown on dissent.

To date CCC reports that over 100 dissenting voices are currently incarcerated in pretrial detention. All these arrests have been made in the last 2 months signalling a muzzling of dissent ahead of the SADC summit.

Adding to this grim situation, Zanu PF has begged ZESA for no load shedding during the summit, which sadly means the country will suffer in darkness from that indulgence after the summit.

This is yet another example of misplaced priorities and overspending, evident in the construction of a new road to Mt. Hampden and luxury villas while essential infrastructure and services crumble.

This in spite of widespread reports of increased numbers of citizens living in extreme poverty with 600,000 children anticipated to go to bed without having had one full meal.

The continued arbitrary detention of dissenting voices is a stark reminder of the oppressive environment that prevails. The SADC summit, rather than being a beacon of hope and progress, has become a stage for showcasing the extent of repression and lawfare under the current regime.

Zimbabwe’s citizens are left grappling with the consequences of a government more invested in displaying power and control than addressing the real needs of its people.

The international community must take note of these abuses and stand in solidarity with those fighting for true democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe.

As this travesty continues to unfold one can’t help but wonder whether SADC leaders will speak out against these atrocities being committed in their name.

Or whether they will gladly wear the badge of culpability and enjoy the brand spanking new highway to Mt Hampden a red carpet indeed!

Chenayi Mutambasere is a Development Economist representing the Africa Centre for Justice.